Back-to-back floods have damaged or destroyed major southern Colorado roadways, leaving two main highways closed for an extended period.
Drivers and southern Colorado residents should expect these closures to persist following severe weather earlier this week. The Colorado Department of Transportation stated that Colorado 151 is closed south of Chimney Rock, while two stretches of US 160 are shut down both east and west of Pagosa Springs.
State transportation officials have not provided a timeline for when the roads will reopen. Several sections of US 160 suffered damage along the 30-mile corridor between Pagosa Springs and Durango.
This includes the Piedra River Bridge located about 18 miles west of Pagosa Springs. That bridge collapsed and requires a complete rebuild next year, according to CDOT. Crews plan to install a temporary bridge once site conditions permit.
Floods also washed out sections of Colorado 151 south of the US 160 junction. US 160 sustained damage in at least four places between Pagosa Springs and South Fork on Wolf Creek Pass.
Travelers face detours as a result of the infrastructure damage. Drivers must use US 84 through New Mexico to enter or exit Pagosa Springs, which increases travel times.
That alternative route also sustained flood damage. CDOT officials noted that crews are repairing and stabilizing two areas along US 84, where drivers will encounter flagging personnel or temporary light signals guiding traffic.
Several municipal streets in Pagosa Springs remain flooded. CDOT advised drivers to avoid downtown Pagosa Springs unless they are local residents.
The Federal Highway Administration provided $6.5 million, alongside $5 million from the state, following an initial round of flooding that caused an estimated $65 million in damage to Colorado 151, US 160, and US 550.
